12
May
May
OPENING STATEMENTS BEGIN IN SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS SEX-TRAFFICKING TRIAL AS PROSECUTION PAINTS HIM AS CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE LEADER
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CapitalTimesNews / 6 days
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- 2 min read
The high-profile sex-trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs kicked off in New York with opening statements, as prosecutors accused him of running a criminal enterprise involving kidnapping, drugging, and coercing women into sex over two decades. Combs faces charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Prosecutor Emily A. Johnson outlined the government’s case to the jury, alleging Combs operated a criminal network with the help of bodyguards and staff. She detailed disturbing accusations, including an incident where Combs allegedly broke into a man’s home after discovering his ex-partner, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, was seeing someone else. “He beat her brutally,” Johnson told the court. The prosecution further claimed Combs forced Ventura to have sex with male escorts and later blackmailed her with footage of the encounters. Combs, who has denied all charges and rejected a plea deal, sat quietly in court wearing a grey suit and glasses. His defense team, led by high-profile attorney Marc Agnifilo, includes Teny Geragos, daughter of celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos. Agnifilo, known for defending controversial figures like cult leader Keith Raniere, will aim to counter the prosecution’s narrative. The trial has drawn intense media attention, with crowds gathering outside the courthouse. Inside, spectators included Combs’ family members—his children Chance, D’Lila, Justin, Quincy, and his mother Janice—as well as lawyers representing other high-profile cases, such as Gloria Allred and Lisa Bloom. Judge Arun Subramanian, presiding over the case, instructed jurors to remain impartial and avoid outside discussions about the trial. The jury, finalized after delays, consists of eight men and four women, with six alternates. Prosecutors argued Combs used his business empire to conceal drug and sex crimes, while the defense accused them of targeting Black jurors during selection. The prosecution defended its strikes, citing potential biases among dismissed jurors. As the trial unfolds, witnesses and victims are expected to testify, with Cassie Ventura likely playing a central role. Combs’ legal team maintains his innocence, with spokesperson Holly Baird stating he is “upbeat and ready for his side of the story to be told.” The case continues to captivate the public, marking a dramatic fall for the music icon once celebrated for shaping hip-hop culture.